Morphine’s Mark Sandman reshaped the band’s final album before his death
Morphine emerged from Boston’s post-grunge scene with an unusual sound built around Mark Sandman’s slide bass, Dana Colley’s saxophone and literate, darkly humorous songs. Their growing acclaim and a 1997 deal with DreamWorks brought pressure to make a more commercially successful record, leaving Sandman unhappy with the direction of the sessions.
After a dispute with producer Paul Q Kolderie, Sandman left the sessions and wrote and produced new songs for the band’s fifth album, *The Night*. It was released in February 2000, after Sandman died aged 46; the article also recounts his travels, family losses and brushes with death, which those close to him say strengthened his resolve to live fully and pursue music.
In short
- Morphine paired slide bass, saxophone and distinctive storytelling.
- DreamWorks-era pressure led Sandman to abandon the initial sessions.
- *The Night* came out after Sandman’s death at 46.
Explained simply
Morphine were an American band formed in Boston, known for an unconventional line-up: Mark Sandman played a two-string slide bass, Dana Colley played saxophone, and their songs mixed literary lyrics with dark humour. The group gained a following during the 1990s, when record companies were seeking new sounds after grunge.
A 1997 deal with DreamWorks brought expectations of wider commercial success. Disagreements over the recording sessions led Sandman to leave and make new songs for the band’s fifth album, The Night. Its release after his death made it the last Morphine album shaped by him.
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Originally published by The Guardian as “‘He buckled. I could hear his bass ringing out …’ The luminous rise and tragic end of US alt heroes Morphine”.